The totally off-topic thread

[medhead]

As people may recall, I have a tremendous TA; does my client's bookings for me and my own personal ones.

Recently I asked them to book me a personal trans Canada return in a middling whY fare class on AC (just enough for me to upgrade). It came to 20% more than the fare I saw on the web. When she got back to me, she pointed this out saying 'they are undercutting us again' and suggested I should book myself on the web, which I did. This attitude is one of the reasons I stick with them, and refer others to them.

Even when my client is paying, I get the TA to price several options looking for the best result both for me and the client (client is always happy with QF price in J TPAC, as a reference).

Goes to show:

* If you have the right TA and build a relationship, they will look after you (I appreciate medhead's TA is the company's, not his own);

* There can be reasons for differences in fares between a TA and the web beyond TA 'taxes', even when looking at the same airline and same flights.


Just generally on TAs (and not relating to medhead's experience), what a TA will quote will depend on what's requested. If just asked for a fare 'a to b in economy' they'll try and guess what the many options are most important (schedule, departure time, route, fare, flexibility, alliance preference) and quote accordingly. There may be cheaper options.

When I ask my TA to quote an itinerary which isn't straightforward, I usually ask for three numbers:

* Cheapest on the day and cabin wanted for departure;

* Most convenient flights (ie not very early departure time and not long connections);

* Specific airline, depending where I'm going.

It's been a real learning experience with this TA. Since these guys are chipping in a big chunk of money to support a few trips towards a speculative venture. I really didn't want to rock the boat at all. Just went with their offer to book everything. Instructions were depart ADL X date, arrive early on Y date, Depart ICN on Z date to arrive back as soon as possible. I did suggest that we'd need to return via the east coast as there is no direct HKG-ADL flights with CX. Price and schedule were the important factors. As such it was a bit surprising to be offer ICN-HKG arrive at 22:00 followed by HKG-ADL departing at 19:00 the next day. On an expensive fare we should be able to get back quicker via MEL or SYD arriving Z+1 not Z+2.

Still a day to investigate HKG. Plus some nice lounges to try.

But I will be booking the flights to South Africa myself (might have to ask for your TA details). Even if the current situation is due to too open instructions.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Footy season will be over in 3 weeks,

That long? I'm sure there will be mid-season trials...

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's been a real learning experience with this TA. Since these guys are chipping in a big chunk of money to support a few trips towards a speculative venture. I really didn't want to rock the boat at all. Just went with their offer to book everything. Instructions were depart ADL X date, arrive early on Y date, Depart ICN on Z date to arrive back as soon as possible. I did suggest that we'd need to return via the east coast as there is no direct HKG-ADL flights with CX. Price and schedule were the important factors. As such it was a bit surprising to be offer ICN-HKG arrive at 22:00 followed by HKG-ADL departing at 19:00 the next day. On an expensive fare we should be able to get back quicker via MEL or SYD arriving Z+1 not Z+2.

Still a day to investigate HKG. Plus some nice lounges to try.

But I will be booking the flights to South Africa myself (might have to ask for your TA details). Even if the current situation is due to too open instructions.

It's unfortunate but they move on to 'better' jobs or etc.

Spent many years many times training TA's only to have them move on and have to start against with a new one who does not have any idea of his we travel and our requirements. Some even suggest cruises and organised bus trips. Sigh. Have given up since th Se days it's rare they can find better pricing or routes than we can. Now we book direct unless there's a specific reason, such as EK bookings with Westpac Amex surcharge for OS bookings. But FC do give me better pricing than EK direct and no surcharge for Amex.

 

[JohnK]

Footy season will be over in 3 weeks,

For some it's already over. Can't win them all.

 

[Flashback]

For those eligible for UK credit cards - I've found a hidden link to some bonus points on the AA one: https://apply.mbna.co.uk/UKNeoCCapp/entry?sc=1NAJAMEIGC004TK&mc=NAGAME006I6

 

[Buzzard]

Nokia will start making their own phones again next year with an android OS. Picture of the rumoured phone.

View attachment 55481

Meanwhile some posted this picture of an old Nokia.

I still have one of those Nokia's

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Footy season will be over in 3 weeks,

Not soon enough

 

[medhead]

Footy season will be over in 3 weeks,

Not really. more like 7 or 8 weeks. Rugby World Cup

 

[Hvr]

Not really. more like 7 or 8 weeks. Rugby World Cup

Not really football though is it?

 

[JohnK]

Are you still a hypocrite if you say you'll never go to Bali but are now considering a transit there?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Are you still a hypocrite if you say you'll never go to Bali but are now considering a transit there?

If transiting then you really aren't going to Bali, although how are you flying there with Jetstar

Things change situations change

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

 

[RooFlyer]

We really do need a dislike button here, don't we?

 

[marki]

The teeth what happens to your enamel when you bite in?

 

[robd]

Can't wait to see what's for dessert...

 

[marki]

It will have SUPAGLUE

 

[TomVexille]

Not really football though is it?

That depends on where you are

 

[samh004]

Had jetlagger over last night for some drinks... chicka and him stayed up past midnight, but because I'm an old man I turned in early... they're still sleeping it off! Only got through 4.5 bottles of wine too!

 

[straitman]

I had a pre-drinks evening last night. Today we start our RAAF pilots course reunion and it's great to see the mob again. Quite a mix of people who have flown quite a mix of aircraft.

Winjeel
Macchi,
CT-4
PC-9
Iroquois helicopter
B212 helicopter
B412 helicopter
Blackhawk helicopter
S-76 helicopter
Caribou
DC-3
C-130
Mirage
F-18
F-111
B737
B747
B767
A330 and probably a few more. Some of the non attendees have also flown maritime so SP2H Neptunes and P3 Orions are also covered.

(One is a test pilot so who knows what he has flown)

Lots and lots of lies will be told today and as usual the older we get the better we were.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Who says share markets ALWAYS make money over long time periods?

God am I over this person. Who cares if he wants to play American football. Good luck to him but spare us the saturation news coverage please.

We just don't get in Australia just how big a deal this is!!!

It is on a scale we don't deal with hence this 'over reaction'.

Good on him. He will do more for Australia than our whole tourism campaign in the states